(CNN) - John McCain again pushed for offshore drilling Monday, and suggested it could provide relief to American consumers "within a matter of months."

"There are some instances within a matter of months, they could be getting additional oil. In some cases, it would be a matter of a year," McCain said at a press conference in Bakersfield, California. "In some cases, it could take longer than that depending on the location and whether or not you use existing rigs or you have to install new rigs. But there is abundant resources in the view of the people who are in the business that could be exploited in a matter of months."

Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan called the proposal a "gimmick.

"By handing out $4 billion in tax breaks to the biggest oil companies and proposing gimmicks like offshore drilling that won’t produce a drop of oil for seven years, Senator McCain’s energy plan fails to provide short-term relief to consumers or long-term independence from foreign oil," he said.

soundoff(37 Responses)

Reports are that John McCain's donation from big oil donors has tripled to 1.1 million since he changed his position and announced his support for off-shore drilling. Hmm??

July 28, 2008 07:42 pm at 7:42 pm |

Farrell, Houston, Tx

McCain sounds politically insane on this issue of oil drilling; a matter of months, a matter of a year, and in some cases it could take longer. A 5th grader could have come up with a better statement than that.

July 28, 2008 07:42 pm at 7:42 pm |

ex republican

Why is the media covering up the OIL SPILL that happened during mcCANE's cancelled photo op?

And why isnt mcCANE talking about the spill, or even MENTIONING it? what kind of leader does not mention an environmental disaster that closes the mississippi river for days?!?!

July 28, 2008 07:44 pm at 7:44 pm |

Karen-phoenix

Talk to the oil companies first. See how long it takes just to put up a rig if they can even get one!!! Drilling is NOT a solution! We should have done what Brazil did 30 years ago. But, oh NO Big oil backed Reagan. Now look at the mess we are in and as Pickens says, "This time we can not drill our way out of this". NO OLD EXPERIENCE IN Washington again. We need new, bright and young ideas. And I'm a 64 year old republican voting for Obama!! He is the only chance my grandchildren have of even thinking of getting the American dream back.

July 28, 2008 07:46 pm at 7:46 pm |

Martha Hussein Baker for Barack

No offshore drilling. Potential damage to the enviroment is too big a risk to take for a "maybe" quick fix. No guarantees they even find oil.

Grandpa McShame is really grasping at straws. What happened to his "gas holiday" idea?

OBAMA '08'

YES WE CAN!

July 28, 2008 07:48 pm at 7:48 pm |

Gary

Way to pander to big oil, John.

July 28, 2008 07:53 pm at 7:53 pm |

TRUTH

Right!!! Maybe 24 to 36 months.

July 28, 2008 07:55 pm at 7:55 pm |

Roger from CA

So, now the McCain camp is just making up facts. There is NO CONCEIVABLE way that drilling of currently-off-limits offshore areas will yield any oil that quickly. In fact, they probably won't be able to negotiate the lease terms or even begin designing the rigs within that time. His explanation tries to confuse things by conflating the possibility that existing rigs may be able to punch a new hole in the same place and get more oil, with the completely different scenario of new rigs in new (now-off-limits) areas, and make the public think that the "new" oil will flow quickly.

I have to say that–although I never seriously considered supporting McCain over any possible Democrat (well, maybe not Kucinich)–I always had a certain respect for the man and his (now cliche) "maverick" reputation. Certainly, I felt that the Republicans were wise to pick him this year; I definitely think any of the other clowns who ran in the Rep primaries would immediately be blown out of the water.

But the avalanche of shameless, disgusting, underhanded, deceitful tactics that have come tumbling out of the McCain campaign and its allies in recent weeks has changed that view for me. I disagree with Barack Obama on his recent response to McCain: McCain is NOT an honorable man. He has shown himself willing to lay down with the dirtiest of the dogs, and he is mangy with fleas.

July 28, 2008 07:55 pm at 7:55 pm |

Christopher in TN

What are McBush's sources for this curious claim? Everything I've read to date says it would be years before any offshore or Alaskan oil could actually reach the refineries and be turned into gas. The man is either a liar or demented!

July 28, 2008 07:57 pm at 7:57 pm |

Tom

It's smoke and mirrors to get more oil company welfare from taxpayer money into the hands of global oil companies like BP, Dutch Shell, Occidental, Chevron, Marathon, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Haliburton. It's a quid pro quo to Cheney and the other CEO's that comprised that secret energy commission he conspired with in the first term of his monarchy. McCain isn't smart enough to understand the oil business. He was coached on what to say by API and Cheney lawyers as a way to give them one more lame duck windfall before they leave.

Truth is, we the people can and are having a BIG impact on them by the reduced demand displayed over the last few months!!!

July 28, 2008 07:57 pm at 7:57 pm |

Jon

What a Liar he knows that it will take 5 to 10 years. He will say anything to get elected. How do you know McCain is lying his lips are moving. In a TV add he blamed Obama for the high Gas prices. Now if anyone beleives that go ahead and vote for McShame because you're to stupid to think for yourself and you need another 4 years of McBush.

July 28, 2008 07:58 pm at 7:58 pm |

Carl Justus

John McCain again pushed for offshore drilling Monday, and suggested it could provide relief to American consumers "within a matter of months.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++===

If John McCain really thinks that we can get a lease made, research for a well and get a platform built and a well drill in a matter of months he is surely not thinking straight. He has not consulted a driller or a contractor to construct the platform.
He is outright lying to make the public think we can immediately solve the oil crunch and hope enough believe it to vote for him
IF he thinks that he certainly has a mental problem and not fit for the presidency.